AURORA – A head of cauliflower I bought a week ago was glowering at me from the vegetable bin. It looked like a brain inside a shower cap. I knew it needed to be cooked so it wouldn’t get forgotten and wasted, but I still grumbled at my self-imposed obligation. I typically steam cauliflower — which is boring, or turn it into a creamy, cheesey cauliflower gratin, the dietary no-no my mom used to make.

And then I flashed back to a palate-pleasing side dish of roasted cauliflower I’d had years ago at a restaurant I was reviewing. All I recalled was that it was deliciously sweet.

So I cored the cauliflower and sliced it into small chunks which filled a deep-dish glass pie pan. I tossed it with a half cup or so of olive oil, salt and black pepper and put it in a 300-degree oven for about 40 minutes until the sliced florets started to brown. About halfway through I added a cup of water to steam-soften the stems.

The result was wonderfully caramelized, tender cauliflower that was hard to stop eating, as if it were candied. There was none of the cabbage aroma the vegetable gets when it’s boiled.

If I’d had some ham or bacon or raclette cheese in the house I might have added them, but this dish needed nothing.

Somday I’ll make it again and turn it into a savory, cheesy filling for a lard- and butter-crusted-pie. Or maybe I’ll spin it in the blender and make an outrageous cream of roasted cauliflower soup.

I am seldom impressed by my own cooking because I eat it every day, but this was damn tasty.

ON THE MENU

One of the best things I tasted in the past week was the souvlakia plate at Kalimera Cafe, the Greek-style breakfast and lunch spot at 15311 E. Alameda Parkway in Aurora. The juicy, hot souvlakia — a bevy of oregano-infused roasted pork chunks arrived with thick and tart tzatziki sauce, soft pita bread, potatoes and two baby spanakopita — flaky spinach pie triangles. Pancakes, biscuits and gravy, burgers, a chicken cordon bleu sandwich and Greek desserts fill out the offerings.

EATERY UPDATE

Visit Aurora has launched Aurora Eats & Drinks and is inviting its Facebook followers to vote for their favorite eatery through March 1. The 25 restaurants in this round include Armando’s, Cafe Paprika, Nile Ethiopian, Sunburst Grill, La Cueva, and The Summit. Find out more at the Visit Aurora Facebook page or visitaurora.com. … Brittany Hill, which closed in 2007 in Thornton has reopened as a Crystal Rose event center. The elevated eatery which has a distinctive panoramic view of downtown Denver and the mountains will also be open for Sunday brunch. … Denver International Airport’s effort to localize its culinary offerings has ramped-up with the addition of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. The Denver eatery will join outlets of Elway’s and Udi’s on Concourse B in 2013. … The family-owned Turquoise Mesa Winery has opened a new tasting room at 11705 Teller St. in Broomfield. … Plan ahead for Colorado Craft Beer Week events March 18-24. Denver’s Falling Rock Tap House alone will have an unprecedented 80 Colorado breweries on tap. Information: coloradocraftbeerweek.com.

EAT THIS QUOTE
“Just listen to your body, eat in silence and see what feels good and you will spontaneously choose the foods that are beneficial to you.” – Deepak Chopra

Read more Nibbles at aurorasentinel.com/category/guide/colorado-table. Like the Nibbles Facebook page. Listen to Radio Nibbles, 8:25 a.m. Thursdays on KGNU, 88.5 FM, 1390 AM, and kgnu.org. Read more food and drink columns at theauroramagazine.com/category/colorado-table. Questions and comments to jlehndorff@aurorasentinel.com.